LAKE SUPERIOR. 77 



CHAPTER ly 



IN'ext morning, the weather being cooler and the 

 wind favorable, we took our departure, after having 

 captured some fine fish at the falls pool, for the 

 Batchawaung River. It was but a short journey 

 round a sandspit that projected into the bay, where 

 we took a single trout, and we were soon in the 

 mouth of the deep dark river. The banks were low 

 and of course covered with trees, most of which 

 were of the deciduous character; the water was 

 sluggish, and the interval between the bay and dis- 

 tant mountain extended several miles. 



We passed an Indian paddling a canoe loaded 

 with bark, the sole occupant besides ourselves of the 

 quiet stream, and our guides conversed fluently with 

 him in the musical Indian tongue. Occasionally a 

 brood of ducks, alarmed at our approach, broke the 

 oppressive silence with their vigorous efibrts to 

 escape, and Don, trolling with Buel's spoon for black 

 bass, struck and landed a small ill-favored pickerel 

 — esox horeus — of some four pounds weight. 



The Batchawaung is the favorite resort for anglers 

 who visit the north shore, and being within easy 

 access of the Sault — not more than a day's sail with 

 favorable weather — is fished to excess. It is a large 

 stream, filled with rapids and pools, and usually 



